VATICAN CITY- A woman and her husband from Austria were excommunicated by the Vatican for celebrating Mass.

Martha Heizer is the founder of the progressive 'We Are Church' movement. She and her husband were informed by Innsbruck Bishop Manfred Scheuer that both were excommunicated. They celebrated Mass at their apartment in defiance of church doctrine that only a priest can do it and that only a male can be a priest.

Heizer advocates ending mandatory celibacy for priests and allowing women to become priests.

Vatican Radio reported Heizer went on TV to say she rejected the excommunication declaration.